This post is about Buckingham Palace Gold Duke of Edinburgh Celebration Awards from a parent perspective. There is information relating to the Gold Duke of Edinburgh Celebration Awards in general – so it may be useful even if not celebrating at Buckingham Palace.
Where Gold Duke of Edinburgh Celebration Awards Take Place
Every young person who achieves their Gold Award is invited to attend a Gold Award celebration event at a Royal Palace, attended by a Member of The Royal Family. Gold DofE Awards are held at London in Buckingham Palace Gardens (two days a year); in Scotland at the Palace of Holyroodhouse (one day a year) and Northern Ireland, usually at Hillsborough Castle( one day a year).
When Gold Duke of Edinburgh Celebration Awards Take Place
Gold Award events take place on weekdays and usually fall within term time.
- London, events usually take place in May.
- Scotland, events usually take place in June or July.
- Northern Ireland, events can take place at any time of the year.
You choose which location you’d like to attend your Gold Award celebration event in at the time of completing your Gold Award. If you wish to change your chosen location then email GoldAwardCelebrations@DofE.org.
The Time Frame
Gold Award Holders usually receive their invitation to a celebration event within 12 months of achieving their Award. However, in some circumstances it can take up to 18 months.
Gold Award holders can remain on the invitation list to attend a celebration event for up to five years after they achieve their Gold Award. If an invitation to an event is declined, then they will be returned to the invitation list and invited to the next available event in their preferred location. If they are unable to attend within five years of achieving their Award, they’ll be removed from the invitation list and instead receive a certificate presentation folder through the post.
As they were unable to hold celebration events for a significant period due to the pandemic, all Gold Award holders already on the invitation list who achieved their Gold Award prior to the end of 2020, can remain on the invitation list until the end of 2026.
Guests for Gold Duke of Edinburgh Celebration Awards
In London and Northern Ireland, it is permitted to have one personal guest accompanying the young person to their celebration event. However, those attending an event in Scotland are permitted to bring two guests.
Maybe all travel together and have a meal before the event. This also means you do not need to worry about being hurry whilst there.
All guests must be over the age of 16. Correct details for the guest must be checked and updated on the eDofE account. Guests cannot be changed within four weeks of the event. If the guest cannot make it then the young person can attend on their own. The guest cannot attend without the receiver of the Gold DofE Award.
Gaining Entry
To gain entry to the events then a coloured admittance card will be sent through the post, which both the participant and guest will need to bring along. We showed these at the first gate.
There is also a white one sent but this is just a keepsake and can stay at home. Awards and certificates are not presented on the day but come through the post; these can also be left at home.
Identification
Both the Awardee and Guest will require two forms of identification. One must be photographic and the other has to confirm their address. The identification we showed right near the palace.
Due to security restrictions, it’s essential that the first and last name that are on file for both the participant and guest exactly match the photographic ID that is brought to the event. Shortened names shouldn’t be used. The address provided for both should also exactly match the ID that is brought on the day.
What to Wear
There is a smart dress code. Uniformed organisations are encouraged to wear their uniforms, however, gloves, leather and medals shouldn’t be worn.
Hats are optional but not required. It is also advised that a lot of the time will be standing around on grass, so to wear appropriate footwear. Several people wore hats and fascinators – so they are not out of place. But just as many people, if not more, were wearing trainers.
Small bags are allowed, but be aware that there are no cloak rooms. Neither are events cancelled due to bad weather.
Cancellation
As mentioned the Duke of Edinburgh Celebration Awards are not cancelled due to bad weather. However, in the unlikely event of it being necessary to cancel an event due to unavoidable circumstances, the DofE cannot be held liable for any costs incurred.
What to Expect at Duke of Edinburgh Celebration Awards
Obviously it is a celebration of all the wonderful people and their amazing achievement of gaining Gold Duke of Edinburgh Awards. However, the awards are not given out at the event itself and instead sent through the post.
There were speeches, inspirational speakers and a Royal in attendance. On my visit with my son it was Prince Edward. People formed a walk way by standing in two rows with a gap in the middle. Prince Edward walked down and spoke to lots of people along the way.
There were also garden games, plenty of photo opportunities and a chance to walk around the garden. We were given a free reusable cup with unlimited tea and one cup cake (which we needed the coloured card for).
It felt like a smallish time window but long enough and we were not rushed.
See also my previous post about DofE
Visit the official DofE website